Safety and Loss Prevention

Regulators, legislation and guidance

Neither IChemE nor the Safety and Loss Prevention Special Interest Group can vouch for the completeness or accuracy of these resources. Information is given in good faith but without any liability on the part of IChemE.

Australia

Health and safety legislation

Health and safety is regulated in Australia by different authorities in different states and territories.  A list of major hazard facilities regulators for onshore operations can be found at Safe Work Australia (SWA).  The offshore regulator is the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA).

Great Britain

Health and safety legislation

The health and safety regulator in Great Britain is the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Information about the legislation applying in Great Britain and guidance to help 'duty holders' comply with it can be found on the HSE web site. The links below lead to some of the most useful pages:

Land use planning legislation

This is the responsibility of Local Authorities. HSE must be consulted about development proposals near 'Major Hazard' chemical sites and about proposals to establish new 'Major Hazard' chemical sites or expand existing 'Major Hazard' chemical sites. Similar requirements apply in respect of 'major accident hazard pipelines', explosives factories and major explosives storage sites.

Planning legislation relevant to these sites and pipelines is listed on the HSE web site.

India

Health and safety legislation

Industrial safety in India is generally regulated under The Factories Act 1948 by the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

The following agencies also have roles in process safety regulation;

Ireland

Health and safety legislation

The health and safety regulator in Ireland is the Health and Safety Authority (HSA).

Information about the legislation applying in Ireland and guidance to help 'duty holders' comply with it can be found on the HSA web site. The links below lead to some of the most useful pages:

Land use planning legislation

Malaysia

Health and safety legislation

The health and safety regulator in Malaysia is the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH).

Information about the legislation applying in Malaysia and guidance to help 'duty holders' comply with it can be found on the DOSH web site. The links below lead to some of the most useful pages:

New Zealand

Health and safety legislation

The health and safety regulator in New Zealand is WorkSafe New Zealand.

Information about the legislation applying in New Zealand can be found on the WorkSafe New Zealand web site.

The links below lead to some of the most useful pages:

Land use planning legislation

There are no specific requirements for land use planning controls as part of the New Zealand Major Hazard Facilities Regulations and there are no plans to introduce them (as of May 2016). However, the regulations do place requirements on Major Hazard Facility operators and WorkSafe New Zealand to provide general information about Major Hazard Facilities to the local community and public. It is envisaged that this will allow those responsible for planning to have better regard to potential risks from major incidents in existing land use planning considerations.

Singapore

Health and safety legislation

The occupational health and safety regulator in Singapore is the Ministry of Manpower.

Information about the legislation applying in Singapore can be found on the Ministry of Manpower web site.

The National Environment Agency (NEA) and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) also have a role in the assessment of HSE and QRA submissions.

The links below lead to some of the most useful pages:

South Africa

Health and safety legislation

In South Africa, there are two different health and safety regulatory regimes;

The OHSA is supported by regulations for major hazard installations and is followed by most non-mining industries.

There are also specific acts on hazardous substances and explosives.

A range of national standards are available, including;

  • SANS 1461:2018  Major hazard installation: Risk assessments
  • SANS 1514:2018  Major hazard installation: Emergency response planning
  • SANS 310  Storage tank facilities for hazardous chemicals - above-ground storage tank facilities for flammable, combustible and non-flammable chemicals
  • SANS 347  Categorization and conformity assessment criteria for all pressure equipment
  • SANS 10089-1:2008  The petroleum industry Part 1: Storage and distribution of petroleum products in above-ground bulk installations
  • SANS 10108  The classification of hazardous locations and the selection of equipment for use in such locations

  • SANS 10131:2004  Above-ground storage tanks for petroleum products 

  • SANS 60079-10-1:2016  Classification of areas - Explosive gas atmospheres
  • SANS 60079-10-2:2018  Classification of areas - Combustible dust atmospheres

USA

OSH Act of 1970 an act to assure safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women; by authorizing enforcement of the standards developed under the Act; by assisting and encouraging the States in their efforts to assure safe and healthful working conditions; by providing for research, information, education, and training in the field of occupational safety and health; and for other purposes.